Cook Islands Prime Minister to Engage New Zealand Diaspora on Cultural Pride and Sustainable Development

The Cook Islands Government, led by Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown, is set to engage with Cook Islands communities across New Zealand from November 18 to 22 in a week-long Diaspora Consultation. These consultations, organised by the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Cook Islands New Zealand High Commission, with the aim to update the diaspora on important national developments, including progress in the seabed minerals sector and the Cook Islands’ upcoming 60th anniversary of self-governance in 2025.

Joint ReleaseDede Mingi14 November 2024Cook Islands, New Zealand, Consultations, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Minerals, Sustainable Development, Diaspora Engagement, Cook Islands 60th Anniversary, Community Consultations, Environmental Stewardship, Cultural Pride, Pacific Sustainability, Cook Islands Heritage, Empowering Our People, Cook Islands Global Community, Seabed Minerals Authority, Strengthening Our Future

Seabed Minerals Exploration Updates

We are committed to sustainably and responsibly developing our seabed minerals (SBM) sector for the benefit of our Cook Islands people. In line with the precautionary approach, any future decision on whether or not we will allow minerals harvesting to occur must be science based.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi2 November 2024Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands, Sustainable Development, Ocean Conservation, Marine Protection, Environmental Stewardship, Clean Energy, Marae Moana, Responsible Mining, Exploration, Deep Sea Research, Future Generations, Economic Diversification, Science Based, Community Engagement, Knowledge Advancement, SBM

Cook Islands passes historic first law for minerals harvesting management

After four years of development and two rounds of public consultations, the Seabed Minerals (Minerals Harvesting and Other Mining) Regulations 2024 (MH Regulations) have now been passed.

The adoption of these regulations is a crucial step in establishing a comprehensive legal framework, providing all stakeholders with clarity and certainty regarding the Cook Islands' legal regime for seabed minerals governance, and are administered by the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA).

Media ReleaseDede Mingi4 October 2024Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals, SBMA, Sustainable Development, Minerals Management, Marine Government, Environmental Regulations, Policy Development, Seabed Mining, Minerals Harvesting, International Best Practice, Legal Framework, Resource Management

Licensee anticipates delay in seabed exploration research

Delays in the seabed minerals exploration and research are expected due to opposition and the efficiency of the regulatory system, says one of the three deep sea mining companies exploring the Cook Islands seabed.

CI NEWSDede Mingi2 October 2024Seabed Mining, Deep Sea Exploration, Polymetallic Nodules, Cook Islands, Moana Minerals, Environmental Impact, Cobalt Mining, Marine Research, Regulatory Frameworks, Sustainable Development, Seabed Resources, Exploration Licences, Marine Conservation, Deep Sea Technology, Ocean Governance

Thomas Tarurongo Wynne: The deeper debate on deep-sea mining

Some say there is not enough evidence or data so stop, and some say well, it is from God so we must proceed, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

CI NEWSDede Mingi28 September 2024Deep Sea Mining, Environmental Stewardship, Sustainable Development, Pacific Nations, Climate Change, Energy Transition, Scientific Data, Economic Equity, Trust In Leadership, Ocean Conservation, Precautionary Approach

Underwater Minerals Conference 2024: A Historic First in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands recently hosted the 52nd Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) from 15 to 21 September 2024, marking the first time this prestigious event took place in a small island state. Organised by the International Marine Minerals Society (IMMS) in partnership with the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, the conference was held at the Cook Islands National Auditorium, attracting experts, researchers, and industry leaders from around the world.

CI NEWSDede Mingi27 September 2024UMC 2024, Underwater Minerals Conference, Cook Islands First, Going Deep, Science For Informed Decisions, Seabed Minerals, Global Conversation, Sustainable Development, SBM Research, Environmental Focus, Ocean Conservation, Marine Science

Seabed Minerals Exploration Programme Updates

We are committed to sustainably and responsibly developing our SBM sector for the benefit of our Cook Islands people. In line with the precautionary approach, any future decision on whether or not we will allow harvesting to occur needs to be science based.

To achieve this, we need more data and information about the nature of our mineral resource and the marine environment so that we can better understand and address the potential environmental impacts and likely commercial viability. This understanding can only be obtained through exploration research work, which is why the Seabed Minerals Exploration Programme is important.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi18 September 2024Seabed Minerals, Exploration Programme, Cook Islands, Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection, Mana Tiaki, Marae Moana, Knowledge Advancement, Clean Energy Transition, Deep Sea Exploration, CSD, Precautionary Approach

Herman highlights Cook Islands’ seabed minerals progress

The marine minerals community from over 25 countries has gathered in Rarotonga, sharing ideas and knowledge on the future of seabed minerals as the 52nd Underwater Minerals Conference 2024 officially opened yesterday at the National Auditorium.

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) Commissioner, Alex Herman, was amongst 18 experts from eight different countries who presented on various topics revolving around seabed minerals yesterday.

Cook Islands hosts world’s largest marine minerals gathering

Over 100 stakeholders and marine minerals experts from all across the globe have gathered for the International Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) 2024 in Rarotonga this week.

The four-day conference, which began in 1970, will be held from Monday to Thursday this week at the National Auditorium, gathering marine minerals experts from over 25 countries.

UMC is the world’s largest gathering of ocean mineral stakeholders, including government, academic, and commercial sector professionals.

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